Thanks to a grant, the Illinois Valley Fire District (IVFD) is now the proud owner of a 2010 Polaris Ranger 6×6 utility vehicle.

IVFD Maintenance Battalion Chief Kris Sherman said that the vehicle will provide the district with “another avenue to access people in distress.”

Although the vehicle has yet to be tested and requires a trailer to transport it, IVFD personnel can use it to reach remote, mountainous areas during search-and-rescue operations. It also can be used for assisting in medical emergencies.

A stretcher can attach to the back of the vehicle, which was obtained through the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co.’s Polaris Ranger Donation Program.

The Polaris features independent center-axle suspension, a liquid-cooled 40hp engine, multiport electronic fuel injection, and seating for three adults. It’s also equipped with four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, and has a 27-inch water crossing depth, and a 7.2-inch ground clearance.

The rig also has a composite cargo box with 1,250- pound capacity, a 4,000- pound capacity winch, and a towing capacity of 1,750 pounds.

During the summer, the Polaris can be used to send spotters to get a closer look at fire lines.